To think she's in the UK

[Courtney555]

Anyone who has a bit of tech knowledge greatly appreciated here....

My friend is abroad. Been there since Weds due back tomorrow morning. I've called her mobile a couple of times, got the international dial tone, as per normal.

Today, called at lunch. International tone still. She's told me again she's flying back in the morning. I called her just now to double check flight time and it's ringing with a standard UK ringtone like the phone is in the UK?

Does this mean she's in the UK now? She's a really good long term friend with no reason at all to fib. There's literally no reason why she'd tell me she was back tomorrow morning instead of tonight (it's like 14hrs difference) so can this happen by accident? Google is not helping.

I know she's on EE. Could the phone have picked up a UK network out there (Cyprus) and that's why the dial tone has changed this evening.

I hope this is a common occurrence with phones, I'm just a bit "hmmmmm" because since it's rung like it's in the UK she hasn't read my WhatsApps or returned the call.

Please tell me you've had experience of this to put my mind at ease. I know it's really none of my business at the end of the day, but I'd like to know if she could still be legitimately out there and it's just the phone playing silly buggers.

Thank you in advance...

What the chuffety-fuck does an international ringtone sound like??? Ju suis a la ring ring? Soy ring ring? Ich bein ring ring?

This is funny af, I was LOLing. But also I want to know wtf it sounds like.

I just re-read it. FUNNY af.

@Bottleof

I think it's the last minute issue. Until today, her parents were picking her up, and I don't know why, but I don't think they can now. I didn't ask what had happened.

If she arrives at lunchtime, let's say out the airport at 1.30pm, public transport to our neck of the woods is minimal to say the least. She could probably find trains to get her part of the way back.

She's asked me, without being cheeky, as she's done the same for me before. Although she had a lot more notice than this to be fair, and has no DC to work around.

You can check the airline, you know, to see if flights are on time...

I've heard UK ring tones when phoning mobiles abroad, it does happen.

You haven't committed to picking her up yet as no childcare and arrival time.

Personally I wouldn't drive 5-7 hours to collect a friend from an airport, especially when I've needed to secure emergency childcare to do so. So I'd reply that it's not possible to pick her up from the airport.

But if you do want to collct her, see if you can get childcare tonight and if so write "please let me know your arrival time by Xam, otherwise I'll assume that you don't need collection".

If she is ignoring you and dancing round her suitcase with some hirsute gigolo in a club in London then she’s a right little madam!

I can't stop laughing at this. Is there a Best of Mumsnet? This is MN gold.

Sorry, OP. I know you're seeking help but some of the replies people come up with ;)

I'd just give it some time, see what happens. It's one of those things that make you go hmmmm. Hope she's alright and all works out.

I could never, in a million years, ask anyone, no matter how close a friend they were, to do a 6-7 hour round trip for me as a favour. I don't think I could even ask my sister to do it for me.

I would possibly do it for a friend if they asked me and I'd definitely do it for my sister. But I'd hate it and be wishing I could say no the whole time, probably.

I don't know how common it is that people would put themselves out that much. It's lovely of you. But maybe I'm the weird, mean one and your actions are the normal ones!

I don't know how I missed the part of your 5-hour round trip.
Yea can see why you're trying to get hold of her so much.
I would see her silence as she's sorted something out and enjoy a quiet lie in.

@over50andfab pedant point- it’s not an English ring tone. There are millions of us who are not in England in the UK.

How did what time she needed picking up not come up when she asked you?!? Surely the first thing you ask when someone asks fora lift is what time??

Cut the poor poster some slack guys!

She came on here to ask for some advice not to be rounded up on.

There could be legitimate reasons as to why she needs to contact her friend that she may not want to disclose on here.

All friendships are different with varying boundaries, I hardly think she's a stalker.

Peace out.

.......Just seen the later flight issue stuff -hope it all sorts itself out x

Fucking Hell! MN19! Shite!

15 years + poster here.

WTAF? Do people read any of thread at all!! Let's just all jump on the OP, not vipers bloody hyenas!

It's a weird one OP, this is strange and, as you say, out of character. Why would she leave you hanging?

Even if she is still abroad, which in all honestly I suspect she is, why hasn't she contacted you? Can't think of a logical answer unless, as you say, she's crashed out.

The double ring tone is standard with many countries.
I travel extensively and as normal it's double tone in places like Australia and Bermuda.

Also many many times when in Spain, France or USA people have commented it's the double tone when coming through so it can happen
Any chance your friend has kept her phone in the safe and gone out for a last night, had a few and went to bed without checking her phone? Easily done. .

You sound like a stalker.

People were being wary to begin with because in the absence of all the info and context you gave since given your OP sounded like a stalkers jealous person. And in so far as MN does have a hive mind, people are alert to women being controlled by men.

Since they do often are.

Plus your replies were instantly snippy.

I think it depends on the service provider being picked up which can change when abroad. E.g. ‘movistar’ is a Spanish call provider so the tone would sound foreign. EE is British so you’d hear the UK ringtone.

Check airport for flight times if you’re worried x

Phone her parents for details.

Same impression here, BlouseAndSkirt.

• Check airline for schedule.

• Phone friend's parents for update on friend's need for a lift and to report the odd thing with the house.

And don't offer someone a 5-7 hour round trip lift when you may not be able to do it because you have children to take into account.

Je suis la ring ring

@littlehappyhippo The cost of calls & texts TO a uk phone in another country doesn't cost anymore - the travelling phone pays the extra amount. If they have switched roaming off or do not have enough credit etc then you'll get a UK dial tone.

She was clearly abroad

Perhaps her phone was stolen by a Brit who is now home.

The lack of arrivals from Cyprus is more worrying in terms of wether she’s lying, although op may have sensibly changed the destination to support anonymising the post.

Whether

This is Mumsnet at its worst... Someone asks a simple question and suddenly their reason for asking gets torn apart

Is there an update?

To be fair me and my mate talk every day whether we are on holiday or not. Mainly in texts. But still. Even on my honeymoon we was still messaging. Its not weird. Every friendship is different